Easter Seals: Helping People with Special Needs

I first encountered Easter Seals when I’m surfing the net for the appropriate rehabilitation service of my nephew who is autistic. He is already three years old last May 3, 2010 but he still cannot talk and don’t even have an eye to eye contact with his father and mother. He cannot even utter a simple sentence or the word ‘papa’ or ‘mama’.

When I went on board cargo vessel last year, our charterer’s agent in Canada gave us mementos that have one of Easter Seals calendar as souvenirs. So, without further much adieu, I recommended it to my sister. She searched the city telephone directory for local child care center. She luckily found one center called Kids Cradle that caters to children with special needs.

Each therapy session costs more or less 10 dollars (USD) or P400 + pesos. My nephew is showing a little progress but still incoherent when it comes to his verbal skills. He can recognize colors and simple tasks but still, didn’t show eye contact with his babysitter.

Easter Seals Connection

The concept of helping people with disabilities or special needs made the legislators of the US government to sign the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. For the past 20 years, it has ensured a clear and comprehensive federal prohibition of discrimination against people with disabilities in private sector employment and continues to ensure equal access for people with disabilities to public accommodations, public services, transportation and telecommunications.

For more than 27 consecutive years, the US National Health Council has cited Easter Seals as the nationwide leader among its member voluntary non-profit health care organization for the percentage of dollars spent on direct client services.

EASTER SEALS is the leading non-profit provider of individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs.

EASTER SEALS SERVICESfeature therapy, training, education and support services. These life-changing solutions help people with disabilities to live, learn, work and play.

Special Programs are for: Military and Veterans Services, Medical Rehabilitation, Child Care, Job Training and Employment, Camping and Recreation and Adult Day Programs.

With these services in action, more and more people with special needs are not liabilities in the US these days. They can even compete with normal people when it comes to work performances.

THE HISTORY OF EASTER SEALS

Year 1919 -The person behind the creation of Easter Seals was Edgar Allen, a businessman in Elyria, Ohio. Because of a personal tragedy, Allen founded the National Society for Crippled Children in 1919, the first organization of its kind. He dedicated his life improving access to health care for children with disabilities.

Year 1934 - The National Society for Crippled Children launched its first Easter “seal” fundraising campaign. Donors placed the seals on envelopes to show support for the organization’s vital service.

Year 1952 - Lily was the flower officially incorporated as the organization’s logo. It is also the traditional symbol of spring and new life.

Year 1967 - “Easter Seals” was formally adopted as the organization’s name after overwhelming public support for the annual “seal” campaign became synonymous with the organization’s work.

Year 1990 - Easter Seals advocated for passing the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. The ADA prohibits discrimination against anyone who has a mental or physical disability-guaranteeing the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Year 2006 - Easter Seals welcomed its first international partner, Ability First Australia, to its network of affiliates.

Year 2007 - As one of the nation’s leading providers of services and support for people with autism, Easter Seals began raising public awareness about families affected by autism and how they can find help, hope and answers at ES.

Year 2009 - As thousands of military servicemen return from Iraq and Afghanistan with disabilities, many with post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain surgery, Easter Seals is providing services and support to help them with the transition back to civilian life. Easter Seals also works with veterans of all ages, from previous wars and peacetime eras.